This is my first movie review on my blog, so I'm going to lay down a few ground rules here:
1. I won't give away important story or plot points in my reviews. Why would you want to see a movie when you already knows what happens? There is nothing more annoying than hearing the details of a movie before you see it. I'll give you vague reasons why I liked or hated the movie, but I'll never ruin it with "in the scene at the end where everyone dies... ". I'll also keep it pretty short. Who wants to read a 5 page essay on a movie? Booooring.
2. I am a film snob, BUT I also love a good popcorn flick, AND I understand that art house blah blah blah isn't everyone's cup o tea. I just want to share my love for movies with you so you might love them too!
3. Pay attention to the rating I give it. The MPAA should never ever ever ever ever be the gage you use for your own morals because they are a terrible and corrupt organization (yes, you cute little Mormons who don't watch rated R movies but go to all the PG-13 ones... I'm talking to YOU). You shouldn't base your morals off of my rating either, but I'm going to be more honest and give a more contextual opinion then they are which may help you form your OWN opinion on what is right for you to watch.
Now, onto my maiden voyage of film reviews! CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE.
Directed by: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa (I love you Phillip Morris)
Written by: Dan Fogelman (Cars, Tangled)
Starring: Steve Carell (The Office, Dan in Real Life), Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl, Blue Valentine), Julianna Moore (A Single Man, The Kids Are Alright), Emma Stone (Easy A, Zombieland) with Kevin Bacon (X-Men First Class, Footloose) and Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler, My Cousin Vinny)
Stupid Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 16+ for adult themes, a lot of swearing, and 1.5 sensual make-out scenes. I would take my friends and parents, but not my grandma. No full nudity, no sex, no harsh or bloody violence.
A lot of this had to do with the brilliant cast. Steve Carell and Julianna Moore make a fantastic married-on-the-edge-of-divorce couple. Their banter and humor was spot on and their emotional moments were surprisingly quite touching. There is a scene that I actually teared up. THIS IS A BIG DEAL PEOPLE. I never cry in movies and I was THIS CLOSE. They were so believable and likable that I simply fell in love with them.
Then there is Ryan Gosling who is one of my favorite actors of all time. Although The Notebook is one of the worst love stories of all time, he made up for it by Lars and the Real Girl which is one of the best love stories of all time. And then he followed that up with Blue Valentine which is one of the best realistic love (and hate) stories of all time. This guys is amazing (of all time?). I love his character in this movie, and I love, love, love the chemistry between he and Emma Stone. Miss Stone also played her role very well, although I haven't entirely warmed up to her as an actress yet. She's reallllly funny, but her face is kind of weird.
I recommend it if you're into witty-romantic tragi-comedies like Dan in Real Life, He's Just Not That Into You, The Break Up, 500 Days of Summer, or Stranger than Fiction.
3.5 out of 4 Stars
touching theme + clever dialogue + brilliant cast
+ endearing characters + fantastic soundtrack
= ridiculously enjoyable movie despite the cliche romantic comedy plot
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